GAZA: COMBATING EXTREMISM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 005849

SIPDIS

PASS TO R, P, NEA/PI, NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/27/2015
TAGS: PREL KDEM KPAO EAID PHUM KMPI GAZA DISENGAGEMENT ISRAELI PALESTINIAN AFFAIRS COUNTERTERRORISM
SUBJECT: GAZA: COMBATING EXTREMISM

REF: A. JERUSALEM 02054 MAY 05

B. STATE 159129

C. TEL AVIV 04766 AUG 05

D. TEL AVIV 3338 JUNE 05

E. TEL AVIV 3788 JUNE 05

Classified By: Classified by DCM Gene A. Cretz for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (C) Gaza, the stronghold of the radical Islamist
terrorist organization HAMAS, presents exceptional challenges
for USG efforts to combat violent extremism. Our strategic
approach is to promote Palestinian democracy, strengthen the
rule of law, reform the security sector, offer economic
alternatives, and encourage progress toward a peaceful
resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To this end,
we have in place USAID programs, funded at $1.7 billion since
1993 for the West Bank and Gaza; the US Security Coordinator
mission, led by General Ward; the Wolfensohn economic reform
mission; and the full range of MEPI and public diplomacy
programs, exchanges, and grants. Ref A details the USG
democracy strategy for the West Bank and Gaza. SEPTEL gives
CONGEN Jerusalem,s response to Ref B, SECSTATE 159129.


2. (SBU) Within this strategic approach, Post would like to
highlight the following FY05 achievements in response to Ref
B as significant, direct contributions to strengthening local
traditions of tolerant faith, intellectual exchange, and
scientific learning.

-- In cooperation with the US Consulate General in Jerusalem,
Post sent three moderate Islamic leaders from Gaza with their
West Bank counterparts on a tailored International Visitors
Leadership program. As detailed Ref C, the trio returned
with a renewed commitment to promoting religious tolerance
and specific ideas for advancing this agenda.

-- Post awarded a $44K public diplomacy grant to the UK-based
International Centre for Reconciliation, which has
established centers for inter-religious cooperation in Gaza,
Jerusalem, and the West Bank. Details are available Ref D.

-- Using a variety of public diplomacy and representational
events, and in cooperation with CONGEN Jerusalem, Post
midwifed the formation of an inter-religious group of
prominent Palestinian and Israeli women advocating
non-violence. Several women from Gaza participate.

-- Through Palestinian NGOs in Gaza, USAID funds media and
youth outreach programs that advocate non-violence. Funding
for the West Bank and Gaza totals $2M.

-- A $15K MEPI small grant to the Islamic University of Gaza
supports workshops in training women to work as leaders in
NGOs. HAMAS dominates the charitable sector in Gaza, and
providing a moderate Islamic alternative is a concrete
counter to extremism. USAID,s Tamkeen project also trains
moderate NGO leaders, including women.

-- Under the ACCESS program, Post provided 120 non-elite
teen-aged Gazans with English-language micro-scholarships and
an introduction to American culture. Per Ref E, many
students noted that the program had opened their minds and
changed their world-view at least as much as it had improved
their English. ACCESS will serve 360 Gazans in FY06.

-- Gazan Fulbright scholars, with their West Bank colleagues,
this year formed the first-ever Palestinian Fulbright alumni
association. ECA,s alumni office provided a start-up grant
of $9K. Gazan Fulbright scholars, and the graduates of
USAID,s Presidential Scholars Program, which also has an
alumni association, consistently provide tolerant
intellectual leadership in the academic community.

-- A Gazan NGO, in cooperation with an Israeli NGO and a US
university, developed and is instituting a balanced civic
education curriculum that promotes tolerance and
understanding of &the other.8 This multi-year effort is
funded by ECA.

-- USAID in FY05 completed the integration into the
established school curriculum of its &psychosocial support
activities,8 which teach school children non-violent
responses to conflict.


3. (C) The people of Gaza and their leaders have responded
to the death of Yasser Arafat and the GOI disengagement with
an intense debate on the future of their society and its
institutions of governance. The influence that violent
extremists exert is at the center of this public and
political discourse. The ability that these groups have to
impact negatively the lives of Gazans was seen the weekend of
September 23-24 when Hamas' mishandling of explosives led to
a cycle of violence with the IDF. Despite the images of
gun-waving militants that dominate the international media, a
portion of this debate is, however, being conducted through
the democratic process of elections. There is also at least
some evidence that the extremist groups are attuned to public
opinion and that Gazans have tried to convince extremists not
to undertake provocations against Israelis. The outcome of
the legislative elections in January 2006, in which HAMAS
will participate, will provide us with additional information
to shape future programs to continue to advance the goals of
the President,s freedom agenda.

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